MWE Correspondent
R&B singer R. Kelly, once celebrated for hits like Ignition (Remix) and I Believe I Can Fly, is now fighting not for fame, but for his life.
The 58-year-old musician, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, is serving a 30-year sentence following his 2021 conviction for sex trafficking and racketeering, charges tied to decades-long allegations of abuse and exploitation.
Now incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina, Kelly’s situation has worsened. According to his attorney Nicole Blank Becker, he was hospitalized after allegedly collapsing from an overdose of medication provided by prison medical staff. Doctors at Duke University Hospital diagnosed him with blood clots in his lungs and legs—conditions that could be fatal if untreated.
What’s more, his lawyer claims he was forcibly discharged from the hospital after just 48 hours and returned to a Special Housing Unit (SHU) in prison, a form of solitary confinement typically reserved for disciplinary or protective reasons.
In a recent phone call, Kelly reportedly broke down in tears, fearing for his life and describing his conditions as “inhumane.” His legal team says the stress has taken a serious toll on both his mental health and physical condition.
Adding to his distress is a terrifying allegation involving the Aryan Brotherhood, a notorious white supremacist gang active in U.S. prisons. A terminally ill gang member, Mikeal Glenn Stine, claims he was offered a reduced sentence in exchange for assassinating Kelly. Stine reportedly turned down the offer and warned Kelly instead.
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In new legal filings, Kelly’s attorneys claim that prison officials are now “recruiting” other inmates to complete the plot, accusing elements within the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) of gross negligence or even complicity.
“This isn’t just about cruel conditions—it’s about intentional harm,” said Becker, who has filed an emergency motion demanding home confinement or release under compassionate grounds.
Meanwhile, federal prosecutors have dismissed the accusations as a “fanciful conspiracy,” arguing that Kelly is manipulating public sentiment to escape accountability. They also point out that he has shown no remorse for his crimes, which involved the systematic exploitation of young girls under the guise of mentorship and fame.
As the case gains international attention, civil rights advocates are weighing in, raising broader concerns about prisoner safety, mental health treatment in correctional facilities, and the dangers of institutional abuse.
A federal judge is expected to hear arguments on June 20. The outcome could determine whether Kelly is moved to safer conditions—or remains in solitary confinement as his legal battles and medical concerns intensify.
